FCT Polls: INEC chair praises orderly, peaceful conduct of area council elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, describing the exercise as peaceful, orderly, and efficient.

Amupitan spoke with journalists on Saturday after monitoring voting activities at several polling units within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). He commended the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), noting that the technology significantly reduced accreditation time and improved efficiency.

According to him, voter accreditation was taking less than five seconds in most polling units visited, while the general atmosphere remained calm. He also praised voter turnout and attributed it to growing civic awareness about the importance of participating in the democratic process.

The INEC chairman further lauded the conduct of security personnel, stating that officers deployed to polling units maintained professionalism and order throughout the exercise.

Addressing concerns about the reported arrest of a journalist, Amupitan said the commission intervened promptly to secure the journalist’s release. He assured that INEC remains committed to protecting accredited journalists and observers, stressing that no accreditation had been withdrawn.

While describing the election as largely successful, he acknowledged minor logistical challenges in a few polling units, including delayed arrival of materials and ad hoc staff. He disclosed that as of 10:30 a.m., about 99 per cent of polling units across the FCT had commenced voting, adding that the commission was monitoring developments in real time from its Situation Room.

Amupitan also confirmed that security was reinforced in Abaji following a brief disturbance, after which voting resumed.

He assured residents that votes would count and pledged improvements ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence in the credibility of the collation and results transmission processes.